What happened to Big Brother 2001 winner Ben Williams? Inside his life now

What happened to Ben Williams from Big Brother? Fan favourite went off the radar after winning the first season in 2001 – here’s what he’s doing now


He was the inaugural winner of Big Brother Australia during its first season in 2001.

But little is known about what happened to Ben Williams afterwards, as he went off the radar after filming wrapped and rarely spoke about his time in the spotlight.

As reported by New Idea, Ben, now 41, distanced himself from the reality TV circuit once the show finished and began a career in sports commentary.

How he’s changed! Ben Williams was the first ever winner of Big Brother Australia during its launch season in 2001 – but he’s now living a more private life in South Australia

He now runs his own sports and media management company, Players Ink, which helps guide athletes’ careers and negotiate contracts on their behalf.

Ben lives in South Australia with his wife, Jade Robran, who previously worked as a reporter for Seven and Nine.

She was also a radio host on Adelaide’s FIVEaa’s afternoon show, but left the station in 2017 and now works in real estate.

The couple married in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008 and share two young sons together.

Happy: According to New Idea, Ben, now 41, moved from the reality TV circuit into sports commentary once filming for the show ended. He now lives in South Australia with his wife Jade Robran, who previously worked as a reporter for both Seven and Nine. Both pictured

Happy: According to New Idea, Ben, now 41, moved from the reality TV circuit into sports commentary once filming for the show ended. He now lives in South Australia with his wife Jade Robran, who previously worked as a reporter for both Seven and Nine. Both pictured

Success: Ben is now a director and owner of his own business called Players Ink, who help guide athletes and media personalities' career and negotiate contracts on their behalf

Success: Ben is now a director and owner of his own business called Players Ink, who help guide athletes and media personalities’ career and negotiate contracts on their behalf

Twenty years on: Ben has managed to keep a particularly low profile since appearing on the show in 2001. Pictured alongside Sara-Marie Fedele

Twenty years on: Ben has managed to keep a particularly low profile since appearing on the show in 2001. Pictured alongside Sara-Marie Fedele

Ben hasn’t spoken about his stint on Big Brother in years, with a former housemate telling New Idea: ‘A lot of people think Ben regrets being on the show, but those who know him are aware it is not the case.

‘Just like his family and private life, he just doesn’t feel the need to share everything with the general public.’

In June last year, Pete Timbs – who was also on the first season of Big Brother – said he still kept in touch with a number of housemates, including Ben.

Family: Ben and Jade share two young sons together, and married in Bali in 2008

Family: Ben and Jade share two young sons together, and married in Bali in 2008

He also admitted he and the rest of the cast, which included Sara-Marie Fedele and Blair McDonough, didn’t think the show would work.

‘We could hear the crowd in the background but we thought Big Brother was messing with us,’ Pete said on The Morning Show.

He explained the cast believed the noise was simply canned laughter and cheering, and they were unaware the show was a ratings hit.

‘We thought there’s no way this show is going to work. We’re just playing volleyball, swimming in the pool and reading books. It can’t be interesting to watch,’ he said.

What a difference two decades makes: Original Big Brother star Pete Timbs, 48, (pictured) recently reflected on his experience as a housemate nearly 20 years after the show aired on The Morning Show

What a difference two decades makes: Original Big Brother star Pete Timbs, 48, (pictured) recently reflected on his experience as a housemate nearly 20 years after the show aired on The Morning Show